Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in space occupying lesions of canine abdomen

Abstract

A total of 20 cases of space-occupying lesions (SOLs) in the abdominal cavity presented to Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, were included in the study. Ultrasonographic examination was performed in all cases to determine the organ of origin of the masses. Renal affections were identified in five dogs, comprising hydronephrosis (n=3) and renal tumours (n=2). Retained testicular tumours and para-prostatic affections were diagnosed in three and two dogs, respectively. All of these diagnoses were confirmed during surgery. Three dogs were diagnosed with ovarian affections on ultrasonography; however, surgical exploration confirmed the diagnosis in only two cases, while the mass in the third dog was found to be of mesenteric origin. Among the four dogs with splenic affections, ultrasonography correctly identified the organ of origin in three cases. In the remaining case, the mass was erroneously attributed to the liver on ultrasonography but was confirmed to be splenic in origin during surgery. Overall, ultrasonography accurately identified the organ of origin in 18 of the 20 cases (90%). It was therefore concluded that ultrasonography is a reliable diagnostic modality for determining the organ of origin of abdominal SOLs in dogs, with an accuracy of approximately 90%. However, its diagnostic performance may be influenced by the operator's level of expertise.